At the Manila International Auto Show (MIAS)—the country’s biggest motoring stage for over two decades—2Ner continues the momentum of Women’s Month by spotlighting women who drive change in motorsport. This April, the celebration lives on through stories of passion, resilience, and representation. Among the standout entries in the Petron Custom and Classic Car Competition at the PTTC Building is a machine that embodies those values: Romi Doan Espero’s Lady‑Driven Toyota Yaris Race Car, fondly nicknamed YUAN.
A Car Built With Precision and Personality
YUAN is more than a hatchback—it’s a carefully tuned race machine. Inside, Romi sits in Recaro SR5 reclinable seats secured by an OMP 4‑point harness, gripping a GReddy steering wheel and shift knob. Performance is monitored through a GReddy Intelligent Informeter TOUCH and Defi Advance BF gauges for oil, water, and pressure. The cockpit balances race readiness with lifestyle, featuring a Pioneer AVH‑Z5250BT head unit and Alpine subwoofer.
On the outside, YUAN is dressed in RS1 Bumpers and a full TRD Type A kit—finished in striking Red Carbon Fiber across the hood, wing, chin, and side skirts; creating a sharp, aggressive profile that blends race‑ready aerodynamics with head‑turning style.
Stopping power comes from AP Racing 4‑pot calipers with vented discs, while BC BR Gold coilovers and a Tanabe strut bar keep the car planted. Under the hood, the Go Garage‑spec 1NZ‑FE engine, paired with a Cusco oil cooler and TRD Type R Muffler, delivers the punch that makes this “pocket rocket” a contender.
Romi’s Journey Into Racing
Her love for cars began with her father’s Toyota Cressida, which he cherished despite its flaws. “My dad always said, ‘matibay tong mga Toyota.’ That stuck with me,” Romi recalls. At 17, she chose a Yaris as her first car, calling it her “pocket rocket.” Friends and family rallied behind her, helping her not just buy the car, but also join the Philippine motorsport scene. “They saw potential in me and in my car. They pushed me into racing because they knew this was my dream. I wouldn’t be here without them.”
Breaking into a male‑dominated sport wasn’t easy. “It’s not simple to enter a sport where most men excel. But I found the girl community within racing. These women proved that we can beat men in their own field. At the start of race seasons, I struggled with fear and doubt. But I told myself I was doing this for me. Whether I win or lose, it’s a victory for conquering my expectations. Thanks to my teammates, who are also my best friends, I’ve overcome every fear. We are each other’s cheerleaders.”
Sponsors That Keep the Dream Alive
Romi’s journey is powered by sponsors who believe in her, but at the heart of it all is Motolite, her principal sponsor for the past three years. For Romi, Motolite is more than just a brand name on her car—it’s the assurance that every start, every lap, and every finish line is backed by reliability.
“Motolite has never failed me,” she explains. “Their batteries perform as if brand new, even after countless race weekends. That kind of consistency gives me confidence to push harder, knowing my car will respond when I need it most.”
Motolite’s support has gone beyond the technical. They’ve stood behind Romi not only to win trophies, but to grow as a racer and as a person. Their commitment has allowed her to focus on improving her craft, to chase her dream without hesitation, and to prove that women can headline motorsport in the Philippines. In a sport where every second counts, Motolite’s reliability has become her foundation—powering her Yaris and her determination to keep racing stronger into the future.
YUAN grips the track with Duraturn Tires, engineered for durability and precision. Their strong tread design delivers consistent traction whether on city streets or race circuits, giving Romi the confidence to push her Yaris harder. With Duraturn’s balance of performance and reliability, every run becomes smoother, safer, and built for endurance.
Totachi and Auto‑Gard provide the fluids and protection that keep YUAN race‑ready. OMP supplies the harnesses and cockpit safety gear, while SEC Motosupply equips Romi with body and head protection—critical for every run. 
Red Bull fuels her endurance, reminding her that racing is as much mental as mechanical. Keon Sondra provides the Yaris with headlights that deliver clear, bright illumination—cutting through the track and ensuring Romi’s runs are safe and precise. His contribution highlights how the right equipment can make all the difference, giving her confidence to push harder and perform better under the lights of competition.
“These sponsors don’t just support me financially or technically,” Romi says. “They believe in me. They push me to strive harder, to improve every race weekend, and to prove that women can headline motorsport in the Philippines.”
Racing in Trying Times
With the Philippine motorsport season on pause due to high fuel prices and government mandates, MIAS 2026 becomes more than a competition—it’s a rallying point. It’s where new blood enters the scene, where unconventional stories find a spotlight, and where women racers prove they belong at the top.
2Ner’s Role
As a motoring culture and lifestyle netzine, 2Ner Nation has always been more than a publication—it’s a gateway for enthusiasts. It doesn’t just report on cars; it builds tradition, amplifies voices, and connects communities across generations. By spotlighting Romi’s Lady‑Driven Yaris, 2Ner Nation reaffirms its mission: to give individuals the stage to headline displays, to celebrate mobility and motorsport as shared experiences, and to honor every enthusiast as part of a living, breathing motoring culture.
The Bigger Picture
For Romi, her Yaris is more than a car—it’s a living testament to family legacy, community support, and the courage to break barriers. Every modification, from the Recaro seats to the Go Garage‑spec engine, reflects not just engineering but her determination to belong in a sport where women are still fighting for space.
At MIAS 2026, amid the roar of bigger engines and the shine of chrome, Romi’s Lady‑Driven Yaris stands as proof that passion can rewrite the norm. It is her declaration that motorsport is not only about speed, but about resilience, heart, and the will to keep pushing forward. 
And as the Philippine motorsport season looks to restart in the near future, Romi is already preparing to do better—to race harder, to represent stronger, and to show that women can headline the grid. Her Yaris is not just competing at MIAS; it is paving the way for what’s next, inspiring others to believe that women can thrive in motorsport and that community support can turn dreams into victories.
“This car is my story,” Romi says. “It carries my family’s legacy, my friends’ encouragement, and the belief of my sponsors. Every lap I run is proof that women can stand tall in motorsport. When the season continues, I’ll be ready—not just to race, but to race better, stronger, and with more heart than ever before.”